You Set A Table Before Me

Although this image may look mysterious, there is nothing deliberately hidden or cryptic about it.  It's a very straight-forward illustration of part of Psalm 23:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23: 5

This artwork refers to the first and last parts of the verse, only alluding to the oil with the branch of olives (and again, the olive leaves, if you read the last blog).  The table is the focal point.  On it are items that would be sustaining if in the natural, and although the Lord does provide us with our earthly sustanence, it is spiritual reality that I am illustrating. 

As I mentioned, there is an olive branch, which here represents healing and anointing. (We often think of the olive branch as representing peace, from the dove in Genesis, after the flood, but it was a leaf it carried, not a branch-- still we can also add the meaning of "peace with God, because of His covenant"-- which makes a theme in this picture, God's New Covenant with us).  There are grapes, which are "the fruit of the vine" from which wine is made-- so this can represent the wine of communion-- the blood of Christ-- and the fruit of the Spirit as well.  The bottle is a wine bottle, so that is redundant in a way.  I would take this to mean that the grapes represent the fruit of the Spirit more specifically. 

The bread is "the bread of life" which Jesus called Himself (John 6: 33, 35, 48, 51-- look these up for a really great Bible study).  However, notice that the bread is challah, a Jewish bread, but that it is not unleavened.  Jesus would have been serving unleavened bread at the "Last Supper," because He and his disciples were celebrating the Passover.  All though the communion table is somewhat referenced in this artwork, I think that the table I'm referring to here is really a more "every day" sort of table.  Truly, what is being served here is the Life of Christ in the middle of ordinary life. 

Lastly, there is cheese, which I chose to artistically represent the "milk of the Word", the "solid food", and if you'll allow me a little artistic license "the meat of the Word" as well (honestly, I didn't want to look at a leg of lamb sitting on the table, but I think it should be there spiritually speaking--the foibles of an artist!  Maybe I'll have to go back and add it after all-- but then, I'd have to put a bottle of milk there too!)  The cup on the table, which I decorated up with some designs and a cross, obviously symbolic, could be the "cup of salvation," -- it is there to hold whatever is being drunk, either the wine, or the milk, or the water.  It also represents the body and the soul.

That brings me to the large goblet behind the table, translucent to represent "unseen," spiritual reality.  It represents Christ and His presence, full of the water of life.  His presence is there, even if "unseen," officiating at the table, serving as He does, and ministering with His constant overflow.  In a way, it also represents the Christian, who, when he is in Christ and Christ is in him, truly can say "my cup overflows."  Here we are in the wilderness, and all we really need is the Cup, because everything on the table is actually a product of His overflow. 

We could also relate to Jesus praying, "let this cup pass from me, if it be thy will." (Matthew 26:39)  In the situation, or experience, of this picture, we may also be praying the same thing.  Our answer seems to be, "no, you have to go through this, but I will be with you."  And Jesus, having gone before us, has been the victor.  It is because He accepted the cup that was given Him that we are saved and delivered.

When I say the table is the focal point, I would have to say that it was  to me, when I thought of making this image.  And yet, the subject of the artwork is truly the "You" in the title, and the awesome power and presence of the Lord.  It's hard to miss the lightning, and when I first chose to put that in, it made me wonder if the viewer might take it as God was one of the enemies.  I'd say to that, "only if you are an enemy of God," and of course, that is your choice. 

For me, and any other child of God, the incredible power packed into that lightning bolt is a cause for fear and trembling, but it's not aimed at us!  If it's wrath against sin, Christ absorbed it, and He can take it.  I'd say, the enemies around better take warning, for that is just a tiny bit of a display of God's power.  This shows how much we don't have to fear any amount of display of so-called power by any enemy, demonic or otherwise.  We have God on our side, if indeed we are on His.

This image is a rather dark one, for the simple fact is that we live in a darkened world.  Sometimes our enemy is only the darkness of our own mind and the blind state we might find ourselves in.  In that case, the light of the gospel is shining, and it will overcome the darkness if we don't run away.  The lamp on the bottom left is representative of  Spirit and Truth, and it's not plugged in to any natural source!  It's getting its energy from the lighting, from God's power. 

I noticed that while I was working close up into the picture, and the table and the chandelier filled the screen, or higher up where the lightning hits the cup, it is very bright.  It is only when you back off from the image that it looks dark.  This is very significant, as that's how it is with our walk in Christ.  If we back off from Him, our experience becomes very dark and frightening.  We start looking at the darkness in the world and at the enemies, and we feel threatened.  Instead, we should get closer to God, and His light then fills our mind and changes our experience.  Suddenly, the enemies are of no consequence.

There is only one active enemy visible in the picture, and that is the snake (an emerald tree boa), which represents Satan, the accuser.  He is hiding in the shadows, waiting for a chance to devour.  But the only chance he has is for us to stand still and give him permission and access into our minds.  He constricts by telling lies, which we don't have to listen to or believe.  Basically, he has no power over us except to tempt or confuse, and if we're focused on Christ and His Word, he is easily overcome.  And if you look carefully, a tip of lightening is touching him, as if the finger of God were reminding Satan of his doom.  For the truth is, Jesus already overcame the devil.  Thinking of this reminds me of Jesus in the wilderness after He was baptized.  The Spirit led Him there to be tempted of the devil.  He overcame Satan with the Word of God!  That is the same thing we are to do when we find ourself in that situation, say "It is written":

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:1-4 NKJV
 
When Jesus came out from the wilderness, he began his ministry in power.
 

I chose the background picture of the stones in an ancient celtic circle to represent other spiritual forces, either demonic or human, that are not submitted to God but are not directly trying to attack the viewer.  I am not thoroughly familiar with the meaning and usages of these stone circles, except to know they were part of pagan worship.  I do know that they are still held as sacred by some people, and are popular imagery these days in spiritualistic or occult belief systems.  The demonic spirits behind this type of worship are territorial.  They don't mess with me, but I have become an enemy to them, and have aggressively camped on what they call their ground.  The people's minds who are held captive to false religions are what is being fought for.  This is the ground, the territory where the battle is.  My purpose is to call these people out of darkness and into God's glorious light. 

There are so many people who are interested, on a fascination level, with anything spiritual.  For some, it's an escape.  But people are really looking for answers these days, and are looking to spiritual things.  I think some people are more drawn to light than others, and if they will come near the light, that is good.  Maybe they will accept the true Light and be saved.  But how many realize that just because something is spiritual doesn't mean it's good, even though it might look it?  That snake looks very pretty sometimes (he can appear as an "angel of light"  2 Cor 11:14 ) and can sound very pleasing, but if you put up with him, he's deadly.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.  For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 2 Corinthians 11: 13-15, 20 NKJV)

This artwork shows a battlefield-- a very personal one for me.  Having been saved from the occult myself, by Christ Jesus, I can only do what is right and try to shine His light out into the world, perhaps to draw others to Him, who is the only  way to God.  I am aware of the danger of battling for a mountain that Satan holds at present.  I know I am not beyond temptation or deception.  As I step out of my "cave" where I feel safe from the world, I take the risk of being stumbled by something in it.  And yet I can do no good by hiding my light.  Therefore, I must partake of the feast of the Lord "in the presence of my enemies," since now they know where I am.  And though I am not afraid of them, they do try to hinder me.  I thank the Lord for His constant presence and protection, and that He will defend me as I remain in Him.

The images I used for this composite were licensed from Dreamstime.com
Castlerigg stone circle © Boguslaw Kupisinski
Round Antique Table 3d © Vadim Andrushchenko
Old goblet © Ole Jakob Ihlebæk 
Ornate Table Lamp Chandelier © Margojh
Red grapes isolated © Cs333 
Emerald Tree Boa © Eric Isselée
Challah bread isolated on white © Kgfoto
Wicker Bottle © Fabrizio Troiani 
Olive II © Pjgon71 
Cheese isolated on white © Yana Gulyanovska 
Grunge texture © Draganea 
Tattered Scroll Collection © Cajoer 
The beginning of the tornado © Victor Zastol`skiy
Sheep with lamb © John Butterfield
Celtic flower design © Patrick Guenette
Fencing © Galina Afanasyeva

“Guided Safely Home”: A Visual Tribute to Dr. Eldon DeWitt

The basis of this composite is the same as the one below titled "Deliver Us From Evil".  It is eerie to me now that I made the other one.  I had been working on this artwork for my pastor and dear friend, Eldon DeWitt, for a long time.  On September 19th, I took the rough draft I was working on for him, which I was planning to give him for his birthday on November 10th, and made the darker composite for Pirate Day (which always seems to bring out in me a strong desire to witness for the Lord).  It seemed the Lord was helping me, as the daunting task of blending many images went very quickly.  I was almost finished with Eldon's composite, and I was very excited about that!  I didn't want to spoil his surprise though, so I didn't share the intermediate version with him.  When he died of a heart attack on September 24th, completely unexpectedly, as he was very healthy, including his heart,  I almost threw out the entire thing.  I'm glad I didn't, as now it speaks of his heavenly homecoming!  Death and evil have been defeated by Jesus Christ, as Eldon well knows.

I have written a more personal essay concerning this picture and how Eldon inspired it and helped me in my spiritual and artistic development.  You may read it on my Facebook wall: here is a link to it.  In this blog, I will make brief references to the symbolic meanings of this piece.

Really, this artwork has a double-entendre, as it is just as applicable for a person living on this Earth as it is for a person whose spirit has left his bodily dwelling and has gone to his heavenly home.   We call that death, but when we are born-again children of God, not only do we have hope of eternal life in heaven with God, but we also have the hope of receiving a new, heavenly body-- free from pain and sickness, and with capabilities we only have glimpsed.   The temporary separation of physical death is extremely difficult, as Eldon's friends and family will testify, but it cannot be compared with the eternal agony of separation from God that those who do not accept Christ will experience.  That truly is grief not to be faced.  Today is the day of salvation, and Jesus has His arms open wide to receive those who will come, offering us Life instead of the Second Death, and so much more. . .

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. "

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV

That leads me to the temporal meaning of a ship (representing someone's life) being led into a dangerous and rocky cove by the light of a lighthouse:  the Spirit of God is faithfully drawing men, women and children into the safety of His realm.  Whether we have strayed away from Him, drifting on the seas of circumstance, or whether we are still waiting to be found, He is calling His people home.  His covenant is so great that I cannot begin to go into it here, but forgiveness and cleansing from sin, healing of emotional wounds and physical disease, everlasting love, acceptance and belonging in His holy family, and His nature imparted and trained into us through His Word and the help of His servants: all these are there for us, and much, much more.

Since this artwork was done specifically for my friend, his unique interests are included.  The eagle was a special symbol to him, and though I'm not completely sure what it meant to him, I can guess that it had partly to do with soaring into the heavenly realm by the Spirit, and receiving a prophetic message from the Lord to give to His people.  So this eagle represents Eldon himself, who so loved the Word and the presence of God.  He always had a revelation of truth from God to give us, represented by the scroll.  That reminds me of the scrolls in Scripture:

And He said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you." So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. Ezekiel 3:3

Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." Revelation 10:10-11

The burning bush, as I talked about in the previous blog, represents the manifest presence of God, such as how Moses saw the glory of the Lord and heard the call of God.  This burning bush sign not only represents a level of presence of God that Eldon always pursued, but it also symbolizes the people of God when they are "on fire" with the Spirit and Truth of God in their lives.  Eldon was certainly a "burning bush" while he was here with us.  He always said that trees represented knowledge or people.  Here it can represent both, a greater knowledge of God and a greater presence of God in our own being.

I left the treasure in this version of the artwork.  Its meaning is different however, for Eldon had truly left behind all pursuit of earthly wealth, and completely trusted God's provision for his needs.  Eldon's treasure was the things of God.  He treasured every word God spoke to him, whether through study of the written word or revelations he received through dreams or any other means.  He was never a "hireling", meaning: he didn't serve in the ministry for gain, but because he knew the call of God on his life, feared the Lord and obeyed Him, and had the Father's heart for the healing and restoration of people, he treasured the people of God and the gifts that were placed in them.  He constantly worked in the Kingdom, with very little earthly reward.  Therefore, this treasure also represents "gold tried by fire", the heavenly riches he sought for and imparted, and the heavenly reward he will receive as the Father says, "Well done, good and faithful servant". (Matthew 25:23)

Credits: these are additional credits to the ones listed in "Deliver Us From Evil":

Eagles on the beach © Jim Dubois

Sunset At Orre Beach, Norway © Harald Tjøstheim
Manuscript with flowers 2 © Alexmax
Images from Dreamstime.com
 
"Guided Safely Home" is a composite artwork by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009.  All rights reserved.  For permission to use this image in any way other than copying to your computer as wallpaper, please email me at ArteZoe@gmail.com  Thank you.

Deliver Us From Evil

This composite is quite simple in meaning, so I won't have to write much here.  Obviously this depicts danger and the need for guidance, protection and deliverance from evil, as the title says.

The waves and the rocks are one easy-to-find danger: there are many difficulties and obstacles to overcome in our lives (a ship represents a person's life, and/or ministry), including natural disasters that happen at an increasing pace.  The lighthouse is shining, which is the Truth of the Gospel (and thus, the Church, who has the Truth in her).  We do not have to fear, for He is with us always:

". . . teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  Matthew 28:20

This does make it clear that He expects us to hear and obey His commands. 

Jesus instructed us to pray for deliverance from evil in what we call "The Lord's Prayer" (which is really His example for us to pray):

"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."  Matthew 6:13

Some translations say simply "evil" rather than "the evil one".  One reference stated that the presence of a certain article makes it clear it is being specific about "the evil one" rather than simply "evil".  If we know what Jesus accomplished by His life, death and resurrection, we realize that Satan is already defeated, and that Jesus gave us an example of how to resist the enemy:  "it is written".  I don't intend to go into depth on that today, as it is a topic clearly seen in Scripture and much written about. I exhort you to study it out yourself if you feel that Satan is constantly defeating you.  Jesus won the victory over Satan and over all evil.  He made you to be "more than a conqueror"!

In the artwork, there are some gold coins in the corner.  This is a representation of this truth:

"For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. "  I Timothy 1:10

Notice that "kinds of" is in brackets, meaning that these words are not in the original: therefore it says "a root of all evil".  I didn't write it!  Is is so hard to think that any evil you see can somehow be coming out of a root of the "love of money"?  In the picture, somebody buried some treasure, and someone apparently died over it!  In a "parable" sort of way, pirates are the epitome of the "love of money."  Don't we all have greed, selfishness and whatever else that is unholy and unworthy inside of us, until we allow the Holy Spirit and the Word to rout it out of us.  The danger depicted in this artwork is not only physical danger, danger from a marauding enemy, danger from the temptations of this age, but also the evil that lurks in the depths of our own hearts (God calls it "iniquity").  Thank God Jesus paid for this as well, forgives us and cleanses us. 

Another part of "The Lord's Prayer" is relevant to this:

And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Luke 11:4

Taken very literally, we see we must forgive "those who are indebted to us".  If we're greedy, we won't even forgive someone a monetary debt.  But there is pride and other things that keep us from releasing others from whatever debt they may have incurred, for example, even a small thing such as "hurting our feelings".  So I see unforgiveness as a definite danger we need to be delivered from.

I could go on and on, but I'll try to stay close to the picture.  The last symbolic reference I see here is the burning bush, representing God's manifest presence, as Moses saw it:

So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."  Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.  So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites."  Exodus 3:3- 8

Moses had a fear of the Lord, which enabled him to obey Him and deliver the Israelites from their land of captivity.  Moses is a "type" of Christ, showing in a real-life parable everything that Jesus would do for us, including delivering us from evil and leading us to His Kingdom flowing with milk and honey.

"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."  Galatians 1:3-5

Without a proper fear of the Lord (not a "phobia" that keeps us away from Him), we do not listen for His voice, follow His lead, or enter in by faith into the promises.  I, for one, want to submit to Him so that I can not only watch the devil flee from me, but be freed from the iniquity that leaves me open to temptation.  I want to overcome all the obstacles of this present age and enter safely into my King's presence.

If you see anything else in this artwork, I'd love for you to leave a comment and share it with me.

Here are the credits for the individual licensed images I used:

Treasure Beach Tree © Greg Payan | Dreamstime.com

Flames and brush © Peter Armstrong | Dreamstime.com

Carved Skull © Claire Collier | Dreamstime.com

Unfolded book dark smudged paper © Alexmax | Dreamstime.com

Surf & Clouds 3 © Joe Gough | Dreamstime.com

Seagull on the beach © Eric Gevaert | Dreamstime.com

Treasure! © Kristin Speed | Dreamstime.com

Bass Harbor Head © David Davis | Dreamstime.com

Rugged Coast of Pt Lobos © Ron Kacmarcik | Dreamstime.com

Atlantic Ocean coast © Anton Gvozdikov | Dreamstime.com

Hermit Crab 4 © Jose Gil | Dreamstime.com

Lighthouse No.2 © Npage | Dreamstime.com

Dreamy Sunrise on Tropical Beach © Heico Neumeyer | Dreamstime.com

Green waves I. © Erik Van Den Elsen | Dreamstime.com

Three-Masted Schooner On York River in Virginia © Kcastagnola | Dreamstime.com

This blog and artwork is by Karen Gladys Henry, Copyright 2009, All rights reserved.  For permission to use please email me at ArteZoe@gmail.com   Thank you.
This work is available for purchase at Imagekind.com, See my gallery.

Renaissance

I made this collage with the true Easter message in mind, that is, the Resurrection of Christ. But it goes beyond just a celebration of the event, which boggles the mind if one really thinks about it! Jesus Christ rose from the dead!! This picture has a lot to do with what that means for us. I'll try to go in a straight line in describing this, but the image is easier to do than the description! "Renaissance" refers to rebirth, new life and vitality, and in the historical context and application, a great revival of all creativity, knowledge and industrious pursuit that comes from being tapped in to the life of God.

The "headless" mannequin represents the individual Christian, and also the Body of Christ. He is the Head and we are members of His Body. This is not just a metaphor~ it is a reality! Unless we get a handle on this concept and begin to live it, we will not be able to appropriate (grasp, receive, put into practice, get the benefit of) what Christ did for us. When He died, He set the "will and testament" in motion, meaning we can now receive our inheritance as the children of God and joint heirs with Christ. When Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered death, and is now alive forever to see to it that we come into the full oneness with God that was intended. Without submission to God and His will, we are not allowing the Head to rule in our life, and truly we are cut off from the source of life that is in us.

Too many Christians quote the verse "we have the mind of Christ" and don't seek to actually have it. We're not born with it!! Surely we have a new nature in our born-again spirits, with the capacity for spiritual understanding and growth. But it is not a given that we will grow and mature, or that we will gain all that we have a potential for. We must pursue it, according to the Scriptures and the leading of the Holy Spirit. His mind, more expansive and full of all wisdom and knowledge beyond what we can comprehend or imagine, is available to us at all times. But we must undergo a transformation! Our carnal mind(which is earthly, sinful and dark, and focused on death and lies) must be changed and renewed in order to understand and act upon the truth and light that is in the mind of God. Jesus made a way for us, but we must give up our old ways of thinking. Our belief systems are grungy, don't function properly, and lead us down all the wrong paths. The Scriptures are alive and active to restore the functions of our minds, and emotions as well. This enables our bodies to work properly also. The more our minds are changed from the old dead nature to the new, the more of a "renaissance" we will experience. This is true revival, not just church meetings.

In this image, you can see an iconic picturization* of Jesus carrying the cross. The mannequin has got its arm through it, signifying that we must embrace the cross. This means saying (and meaning) the same as Jesus did in Gethsemane, "not my will but thine be done." This place of submission to the Father's will gets us out of a place of religion and into true relationship. Jesus sought to know the Father's will, and when He knew it, He obeyed it. If it's good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me.

The Lamb is the symbol of Christ in the place of sacrifice for our sins. The fact that He calls us His lamb and His sheep, indicates that we are meant to identify with Him: but substituting Himself for us, we are spared the eternal punishment we deserved and by accepting the resurrection, we accept the exchange of our old life for His new one. Thus, with the verse that was "cut and pasted" into the collage, we recognize that we suffer the loss of the old, that which was death to us, but we rejoice because the end is in sight: abundant life now and life with God eternally.

The communion chalice is included: it is beautiful and entwined with vines, because He is the Vine from whom we draw our life. His blood, represented by the wine, was shed so that we could be made holy. There are three spheres in the artwork, showing that redemption is for us in three parts of our being: the spirit, the soul and the body. It also means we must overcome in three arenas: the world, the flesh and the devil. One is being dipped into the cup, a picture of the "host" of the Eucharist: because His body was broken, then resurrected, our body can be healed, and resurrected into an incorruptible life. Jesus has gone before, and is leading the way.

I hope the explanation of this artwork helps you understand more of the covenant we have in Christ, and what it means to have His mind.

Jhn 3:7
Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

Jhn 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

1Pe 1:23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

1Cr 2:16
For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another." Ephesians 4:22-25

Luk 9:23
Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Mat 7:21
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Mat 26:39
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You [will]."

Eph 5:23
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Col 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Eph 3:19
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Eph 4:13
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Col 2:9
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

Rev 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then [I saw] the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received [his] mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Col 1:9

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

Rom 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Act 20:32
"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

Col 1:12
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

A bonus message:

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror." I Peter 3: 1-6

*"picturization" is a word I coined, meaning "making a picture as a representation", (similar form as "verbalization")

Ancient Rival

Sometimes I do artwork as spiritual warfare. This particular piece is one of those. It began as an abstract photo of a red plastic screen at a restaurant. In it I began to see shapes, and as I worked on it, this is what it became. It's not the "prettiest" art, but to me it is important, because it depicts a devious enemy of the the Church of Jesus Christ.

I'm not going to write much about the evil spirit we call Jezebel, because there is plenty of material out there to study. A great resource is a book by John Paul Jackson, titled "The Veiled Ploy". I'll put up a link as soon as I get my connection upgraded. I've had plenty of experience with this evil spirit, having been under its influence in the past; but the Lord enabled me to break free of it and combat it at various times when I have encountered it. I will share what I have personally learned from the Lord about this evil spirit.

The book of Revelation speaks of this evil spirit in the letters to the seven churches. Jesus says to the church of Thyatira: "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." Revelation 2:20 NKJV It's quite certain that He is not talking of a particular woman here, or of woman at all, but a spirit whose characteristics are seen clearly in the Old Testament figure, Jezebel. Here, the Lord is revealing that this spirit is still at work in the church, and it must be overcome.

To see the Jezebel spirit in action, read the passages in I and II Kings that refer to this "queen", Ahab's wife: e.g., I Kings 16: 31; 18:4, 19; 19:2; 21:23-25; II Kings 9:22; 30-37. In the realm of the spirit, this evil entity will behave the same way. There is subtlety to it, as well as intimidation when it doesn't win by seduction. A demonic spirit is not male or female, and can work through or influence a person of either sex. Calling a woman a "Jezebel" is not the love of Christ, but it is common to see that spirit working through a "witchy" woman who doesn't respect men, especially her husband. Nonetheless, I have seen men who were totally given over to the Jezebel spirit, and their wives strongly controlled by the counterpart spirit we could just as well call Ahab (submissive, wrongly, to the controlling spirit).

The Satanic spirit we call Jezebel is jealous of the Church-- who is betrothed to Jesus, and is being prepared as a spotless Bride, full of glory and power, and who will rule and reign with Christ at His return. As Satan wants to be "like God" and tries to gain worship for himself, he has a counterfeit for everything he sees God do. This evil spirit works to get the true Bride away from her pure love of Christ, and to seduce her into defiling herself with occult practices, sexual immorality, and spiritual adultery and idolatry. It hates all things and people of God that are prophetic, and it tries to seduce people into using prophetic giftings for power and profit, and to lead others astray with false prophecy.

The Jezebel spirit especially hates the Bride of Christ, marriage, proper authority, proper male-female relationships, and godly creativity and imagination (because this births things from God). An Ahab-Jezebel type relationship is something to be repented of, whether in a Christian marriage or in a pastor-church relationship. [As I wrote this, I got a revelation that the Jezebel spirit is behind abortion, physical and spiritual! I haven't done a specific study on this, but it was confirmed to me by a prophetic friend after I posted this blog. I will be seeking the Lord for more insight into the topic, and will blog on it soon in "Fireberries" -- see link on top page].

It must be kept in mind that the Bride of Christ is not an individual person, but the Church as a whole, and that individualistic doctrines of brideship are most likely ideas promoted by the Jezebel spirit to keep a child of God separate from the Body, in pride and rebellion, and open to seductive and occult ideas that pollute the spirit and infect others.

As will be more and more evident, the Jezebel spirit will set "herself" up as the false bride of a false christ, and will seat herself luxuriously upon an idolatrous throne right in the midst of the apostate church: "So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." Revelation 17:3-4 NKJV

This artwork reminds me of the following verse, now that I'm writing about it, for in it there is a man hidden in a cave-like place, and there is a rescuer coming with a torch: "For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water." I Kings 18:4 NKJV

The redness of this picture speaks to me of not only the bloody history of the original Jezebel, and of that influencing spirit's destructive work, but also of the blood of Jesus: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:11 NKJV. Jesus has already overcome Satan and his tactics, and is coming to His Church in power (as the Lion of Judah) to help her enforce His victory. [Now, with the additional insight on abortion, I am seeing this red, cave-like place as a womb!!].

I believe we must fight to deliver the young people who are being seduced enmasse by the "dark side" of fantasy and witchcraft to such things as Harry Potter. There is a major difference between something birthed by a demonic spirit and something birthed by the Lord such as C.S. Lewis's fantasy writing or Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings"(at least partially, as I don't claim these works to be perfectly God-inspired-- are any of us?).

In my artwork, a unicorn or flying horse represents the creative and imaginative power that God placed in us, which is part of His nature and image. In this picture, the unicorn, not evil of itself, is being drawn to the seductive power of Jezebel. It is the Church's job to see the young generation, called to be prophetic and powerful in warfare against evil, delivered from the captivation of the enemy and trained and released against that enemy. We must see to it that our creative powers are used by the Holy Spirit and not by the devil.

It is crucial that all of us in the Body of Christ be cleansed of everything that is related to this seductive and rebellious spirit. Time is running out, but there is an open window of freedom available to all who will call out to God for help.

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The credits for the images used in this composite have been listed on my Flickr stream, with links to them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3232829658/